When it comes to heading back to school this fall just one in five educators say they want a fully in-person return to the classroom.
That’s according to a statewide survey from Education Minnesota, the state’s teachers union.
Of the 20-thousand educators who weighed in, nearly half said they would prefer to stick with distance learning this fall. Just 17 percent say they want a full return to the classroom.
Still, about half of the educators support returning to some in-person learning, so long as appropriate safety measures are in place.
“You know I think what’s what’s most important is public health, equity, safety and quality education; and those are the things that I think the Governor and I have in mind as we’re working to make this decision. But we want to do it safely and we want to do it in partnership with educators and parents,” said Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, in a statewide radio conversation with KAXE’s Heidi Holtan.
“I will say this, the governor is a teacher and that is certainly he is leaning in right with his teacher lens right now as as he is he’s looking to make this decision and he has a school-age child. As do I, a second-grader, and you know this is certainly personal to both of us so we are making decisions through the lens of public health, safety, equity and the educational outcomes that we want to see for our kids in Minnesota.” She said.
Minnesota schools are planning for three different scenarios: back to school with in-person learning, a hybrid model, or all distance learning.
Flanagan said the State’s decision will be announced on Thursday, July 30th.